Frenkel & Frenkel Blog in Dallas, Texas

Settlement Reached in Teen’s Wrongful Death

A settlement has been reached in the wrongful death suit filed by the parents of a 15-year old boy who died after being swept away while on a kayaking and hiking trip in Hawaii. The terms of the settlement between Michael and Marianne Madoff, the boy’s parents, and the defendants—Bold Earth Teen Adventures and Hawaii Pack and Paddle—were sealed. Accident DetailsThe Madoff’s son, Tyler, a student at Scarsdale High School in White Plains, N.Y., was on a hiking and kayaking tour led by Bold Earth on July 4, 2012. After kayaking in Kealakekua Bay, the group was hiking near the Captain Cook monument when they stopped to rest at a tide pool. The area where tour guides led the group was out of a state-permitted area, even though there were high surf warnings. Large waves came over the group and Madoff was washed away. His body never recovered. Tour Group Negligence

The family of a teenager swept out to sea while on a hiking and kayaking tour in Hawaii has reached a settlement for his wrongful death.

According to court documents, Madoff’s parents claimed that the group was negligent for allowing the teenagers to be led to an area that was not only off-limits, but was dangerous. The parents claimed that Bold Earth was responsible for the safety of their son, and they failed to provide that safety, leading to his death. Their reason for filing the lawsuit was to keep other families from suffering as they have since Tyler’s death. Attorneys for Bold Earth did not release a statement. Awareness Fund One of the things the parents want to do with the settlement is to set up a fund in Tyler’s name to raise awareness of the need for safety in that area of Hawaii. In addition, they want to provide funding that supports the search and rescue efforts in the area. The parents told the Journal News that, although Tyler’s body was not recovered, the search and rescue personnel were “amazing” as they tried to locate their son. When the negligence of another person is suspected as the cause or contributing factor in an accident that causes injury or death, a wrongful death claim may be in order. Contact Dallas-Fort Worth lawyers at Frenkel & Frenkel to schedule a free initial consultation regarding an accident where injuries or death may have been caused by someone else’s negligence.